Spirited Wolves held on to make it three straight wins to keep their play-off challenge alive as they overcame 10-man Cardiff for a hard-fought victory. Bakary Sako (26) was the matchwinner for the second game in a row, but after the 65th minute dismissal of Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham, Richard Stearman (twice) and Kortney Hause cleared off the line as the Bluebirds chased an equaliser. It was real end-to-end stuff as Benik Afobe twice missed the chance to make it 2-0 before the sending off, while Cardiff fans claimed Dominic Iorfa should have been seen red after a lunge when he had been booked in the first half. Sako’s goal was his fourth in the last three games and 11th of the season, while Wolves made it three successive clean sheets. Wolves boss Kenny Jackett made two changes to the line-up that beat Fulham 3-0 on Tuesday night. Hause was recalled at left back in place of Scott Golbourne, while Rajiv Van La Parra came in for Nouha Dicko as Wolves retained their 4-4-2 formation with the Dutchman making his first start as an orthodox striker. Both Golbourne and Dicko dropped to the bench, where Kevin Doyle vacated his place after his wife went into labour this morning for the birth of their second child. Wolves captain Danny Batth was making his 80th consecutive league start, the only player to have played in every league match under head coach Jackett. Cardiff made one change to the side that ended a nine-match wait for a win on Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory at Wigan, with regular right-back Lee Peltier swapping to left-back in place of Joe Ralls, who dropped to the bench. The game got off to a tentative start and it wasn’t until the seventh minute that there was any noteworthy action. Iorfa was booked after tripping Matt Kennedy, but Whittingham’s free kick came to nothing. Craig Noone, who terrorised Wolves on his debut the last time the sides met here, was narrowly over with a fierce shot after running at the visitors’ defence in the 20th minute. Within 60 seconds, Tomasz Kuszczak was out bravely to dive at the feet of Bruno Manga after he intercepted a shot from Noone. But then came the breakthrough from Sako and it was another classic counter-attacking move from Wolves. Afobe burst forward and surged at the defence before slipping the ball to his right for Van La Parra, whose low centre was blocked but fell perfectly into the path of Sako, who found the bottom corner with a neat sidefooted finish. That seemed to take any wind out of Cardiff’s sails and Jackett’s side went on to control the rest of the half without any threat on their goal. Wolves perhaps should have made it 2-0 seven minutes after the break when Afobe was presented with a free header from Sako’s superbly-struck free kick but could only guide the ball well over the bar. Whittingham was booked in the 57th minute when he tripped Afobe as the striker ran towards goal after a poor Cardiff pass. And it was to have further consequences for the former Villa man soon after. Sako’s resulting free kick was goalbound but was deflected over. Wolves made their first change on 59 when Dicko came on for Van La Parra up front. Yet it was Cardiff who suddenly rallied and went close on the hour when Kenwyne Jones’s towering far post header drifted just wide of Kuszczak’s right hand post from a Whittingham free kick. Iorfa was then perhaps lucky to escape a second yellow card for a late tackle on the touchline, with Cardiff fans howling for punishment from the ref which never came. And any chance that the youngster might see red was swiftly removed by Jackett as he took him off almost immediately in the 61st minute, with Matt Doherty coming on. Play switched to the other end and Afobe missed another opportunity to double the visitors’ lead when he intercepted a backpass only to fire against David Marshall’s legs when clean through, the ball looping well over. But Cardiff suffered a blow on 65 when Whittingham was sent off for a second bookable offence for lunging in high on Doherty. Going down to 10 men didn’t seem to affect the Bluebirds as Noone crossed invitingly for Jones, who couldn’t connect properly at the far post. But they twice went desperately close to an equaliser on 70 when goalline clearances from Richard Stearman and Hause kept Wolves’ slender lead intact after Kuszczak came for but failed to collect Noone’s free kick. Cardiff threw everything forward and thought they had got an equaliser in the fourth minute of time added on. But out of nowhere, Stearman scampered back to nod Jones’s header over the bar just when it looked like it was creeping in. Victory now leaves Wolves in confident mood as they prepare to hit the road again on Tuesday night at high-flying Bournemouth.

Meanwhile two Wolves fans met up in Cardiff - one an abbswolf the other a Dalek, but which is which? Exterminate!!

Beeb

Wolverhampton Wanderers won their third match in a row with a 1-0 win at 10-man Cardiff City to move to within two points of the play-off places. Bakary Sako's low shot finished off a Wolves first-half counter-attack to put the visitors ahead. Bluebirds midfielder Peter Whittingham was sent off in the second-half after two bookable offences. Defender Richard Stearman cleared the ball off the line in injury-time as Cardiff pressed for an equaliser. Wolves came into the match having thrashed Rotherham and Fulham 5-0 and 3-0 respectively in their last two Championship matches. The Bluebirds meanwhile were unbeaten in their previous five matches. They welcomed owner Vincent Tan to the ground for the first time since they were relegated from the Premier League last season. The Malaysian, who sported a blue shirt, saw his side start brightly without creating any clear-cut chances. Midway through the first half, as Cardiff continued to push forward, Wolves launched a devastating counter-attack at pace. Dutch midfielder Rajiv van La Parra beat two defenders before his pass found Sako just inside the box, the Mali international firing home his 11th Championship goal, low into the corner of the net. Cardiff's came closest to scoring in the half through Aron Gunnarsson, who headed the ball narrowly over the crossbar following Wolves goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak's clearance punch. After the break a mix up between Cardiff's Gunnarsson and Sean Morrison saw the ball break to Benik Afobe eight yards from goal, but the Wolves striker failed to beat goalkeeper David Marshall. Moments later the Bluebirds were down to 10 men after Whittingham received a second , for a lunging challenge on Wolves defender Matt Doherty. Despite their numerical disadvantage Russell Slade's side continued to press for an equaliser and former Stoke striker Jones powered a header narrowly wide from a Gunnarsson cross. Matthew Kennedy fired a shot wide of the Wolves goal from inside the box and in injury-time Stearman cleared Jones' goal-bound header off the goal-line.

LINEUP, S (4) & S (5)

Cardiff City

01 Marshall

02 Peltier

05 Ecuele Manga

36 Morrison

16 Connolly

30 Kennedy (Revell - 79' )

17 Gunnarsson

07 Whittingham Dismissed after an earlier

11 Noone

13 Doyle (McAleny - 63' )

09 Jones

Substitutes

14 Macheda

15 McAleny

18 Adeyemi

21 Ralls

22 O'Keefe

29 Revell

33 Moore

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak

33 Iorfa Booked (Doherty - 61' )

06 Batth

05 Stearman

30 Hause

11 McDonald Booked

19 Price

17 van La Parra (Dicko - 59' )

04 Edwards

10 Sako

12 Afobe (Ebanks-Landell - 88' )

Substitutes

02 Doherty

03 Golbourne

07 Henry

13 McCarey

14 Evans

23 Ebanks-Landell

40 Dicko

Ref: Robert Madley

Att: 21,165

MATCH STATS

90mins

Cardiff City Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession 47% 53%

Shots 16 8

On target 4 3

Corners 3 5

Fouls 9 13

Wolves 3 Batth 10′ Sako 40′, 45′ Fulham 0

FT 90 +3 HT 3-0

A great way to finish off a Banks’s brewery tour and a return to the Combermere Arms - a birthday treat for pint-sized Paul, and Mr Travel

Wolves' lowest Championship home gate of the season witnessed a first-half goal feast as the hosts wrapped up the win over Fulham by the break. The on-fire Bakary Sako tore the Cottagers apart in the opening 45 minutes, setting up Danny Batth's opener and scoring twice himself. Just 17,744 spectators turned on a chilly evening at Molineux, but they saw Kenny Jackett's side record a second straight emphatic home win in the Championship, writes Craig Birch. There were just 10 minutes gone when Dominic Iorfa's surging run from full-back won a corner on the right, which Sako went up to take. His in-swinging ball found the head of central defender and captain Batth, moving into the centre of the box and climbing over the Fulham defence, to head past goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. It could have been 2-0 in the 15th minute after Nouha Dicko's cross found overlapping full-back Scott Golbourne, who tapped the ball across to Benik Afobe. He

looked odds on to score after five goals in seven games but Bettinelli was there to intervene this time, parrying the ball away to safety. Fulham tried to get themselves back at the game with Seko Fofana spurning two good chances to level, the first in the 20th minute. First his fierce effort flew wide with Wolves goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak at full stretch to get near it, watching it whistle off-target. Then he danced into a shooting position in the 31st minute and went for goal but, this time, it was straight at Kuszczak who saved easily. There was a real let-off for Wolves on 33 minutes when Lasse Vigen Christensen found skipper Ross McCormack at point-blank range in the centre, but he could only stab tamely into the arms of Kuszczak. It left Wolves to protect and build on their lead which Sako more than did as he went up the gears, but the second was very much a team goal. There must have been 15 passes that led to his strike, but the crisp nature of that move was only bettered by a stunning finish from the boot of the Mali international. He let fly from 20 yards and his effort flew past Bettinelli and into the net for his ninth goal of the season, but Wolves were not done yet. In first-half stoppage time, Sako muscled past the Fulham defence and into the box to go one-on-one with Bettinelli and fire through him. The second-half petered out due to Wolves' considerable lead at the interval, although they could have made it 4-0 in the 69th minute. Afobe burst into the box with purpose after taking a pass from Price in his stride and jinked before shooting, forcing Bettinelli to save. But Fulham did strike the woodwork with 16 minutes to go, substitute Sean Kavanagh hitting the base of the post with an angled drive from close range.

Bakary Sako struck twice as Wolves kept pace with their Championship play-off rivals by avenging last month's FA Cup exit to Fulham. Skipper Danny Batth headed the home side ahead from Sako's corner. Sako then settled the outcome in the space of seven minutes just before the break. First he rifled home a stunning low left-foot shot from the edge of the box, before beating Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli at his near post. In front of Molineux's lowest league crowd of the season - 17,744 - Wolves failed to cut the five-point gap to the play-off places, as all their rivals won too. But they got the job done against a Fulham side who threatened more before the break, but ended up offering little in a second half that was a virtual non-event. Wolves pack in the goals Wolves have scored eight goals without reply at Molineux in the space of four days, following Saturday's 5-0 rout against Rotherham United. After winning on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup at Molineux six weeks ago, Fulham won their next two league games too. But they are now without a victory in eight matches in a run that has sent them down to 20th in the table.They looked lively in the half hour that followed Batth's near-post header from Sako's viciously inswinging right-wing corner. But Ross McCormack wasted their best opening when he could only fire straight at home keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. And, for all their fancy footwork and intricate dribbling and passing movements, the visitors were then rocked by Sako's goals. The first of them was a sweet low left-foot strike from the right corner of the box which flew across Bettinelli to nestle in the Fulham keeper's bottom right corner. But when Sako found the same spot from a narrow angle, this time from the left, Bettinelli was at fault, beaten for sheer pace at his near post. Bettinelli did have to make one second-half save, going low to his left to deny Benik Afobe, but the destination of the three points had long been decided.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jackett told BBC Sport: "That's eight goals scored, two clean sheets and six points from two home games, so it has been a very satisfactory evening. There's been a lot of focus on Nouha Dicko and Benik Afobe, so it's nice to spread the goals around the team. That's three in two games for Sako now. They do come in waves for Sako. That will give him a lot of confidence, especially as he was suffering from a stomach problem. That's why he came off when he did so early in the second half."

Fulham manager Kit Symons told BBC Sport: "To say that was frustrating is an understatement. I'm fuming. We looked by far the better side and had a stonewall penalty for handball turned down at 1-0. But you can't concede goals like that and still hope to win games. To go in at 3-0, it then becomes a mountain to climb."

Five-star Wolves put Rotherham to the sword with a devastating display from strikers Benik Afobe and Nouha Dicko at Molineux. Two goals from Benik Afobe as well as strikes for Nouha Dicko, Dave Edwards and Bakary Sako saw the Moleniux men to a comfortable Championship victory. The match also saw a surprise return for striker Kevin Doyle who was introduced as a second half substitute. But the Wolves faithful will be delighted with the performance of their team has they head into a crunch clash with Fulham on Tuesday. Jackett made three changes to the team that fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Norwich. In came Scott Golbourne at full-back in place of Kortney Hause, while there were also re-calls for midfielders Dave Edwards and James Henry. The changes meant Rajiv van La Parra had to make do with a place on the bench while Jack Price missed out through illness. There was also a surprise place of the bench for Colorado Rapids bound Kevin Doyle as Jackett opted for a 4-4-2 formation. The opening 15 minutes proved to be a cagey affair with both teams taking their time to settle. For Wolves, an onrushing James Henry just failed to connect with a Bakary Sako cross following a swift break from the Mali international. At the other end, Adam Hammill hit a tame effort straight at Tomasz Kuszczak following a deep Matt Derbyshire cross. But as the clock ticked past the 20-minute mark, Wolves began to control proceedings. After Sako expertly spread the ball wide, Dominic Iorfa sent in a teasing low cross that Adam Collin had to smoother. Minutes later and Wolves were ahead thanks to a clinical finish from Benik Afobe. Kevin McDonald played in the forward with an inch-perfect pass that Afobe took in his stride before calmly slotting past Collin. With Rotherham rattled, Jackett’s side continued to press and five minutes later they doubled their advantage with Afobe this time turning provider. The former Arsenal forward carried the ball from his own half to the edge of the box where he fed Nouha Dicko who calmly fired past Collin. Desperate to find a way back into the game, the Millers sprung to life with Hammill sending in a low cross which Richard Stearman diverted onto his own post. Buoyed by the move, Danny Batth then had to produce a wonderful tackle to prevent Danny Ward running in on goal. Kuszczak then saved well from a Hammill shot. Rotherham boss Steve Evans made a change at half-time, switching midfielder Rob Milson for striker Connor Sammon. And the move seemed to be a positive one with the away side forcing a number of early corners. But it was from one of those corners that Wolves should have extended their lead. After winning back possession, Jackett’s side broke three against two with Afobe feeding Dicko but the striker saw a poor cross field pass to Henry cut out. As the game past the hour mark chances were proving few and far between, but the momentum was with the Millers. However, they failed to truly test the resolute Wolves backline and they were made to pay on 63 minutes when Afobe grabbed his second of the game. The striker was sent racing in on goal following a brilliant Henry pass and he coolly rounded the ‘keeper before passing into an empty net. Rotherham hit back with Derbyshire seeing a sharp effort from the edge of the box spectacularly tipped over the bar. Jackett then made his first changes, swapping strikers Afobe and Dicko for van La Parra and Kevin Doyle. Connor Sammon saw two close range header held by Kuszczak. But it wasn’t long until Wolves had their fourth, with Dave Edwards brilliantly flicking home from a corner. The Molineux faithful loved what they were seeing and they were celebrating again with 10 minutes remaining when Sako made it five. Neat work from van La Parra saw the tricky winger played in on goal and he fired through Collin’s legs and into the net. With chants of “can we play you every week” being sang loud and proud by the South Bank, Wolves saw out the game comfortably to record a confidence boosting win.

Beeb

Striker Benik Afobe's brace helped a rampant Wolves maintain their Championship play-off push as they thrashed Rotherham United at Molineux. Wolves took the lead when Kevin McDonald crossed for Afobe to fire home before Nouha Dicko doubled their lead. Rotherham's best chance came before the break when Matt Derbyshire nodded Adam Hammill's cross on to the post. But Wolves capitalised with Afobe finding a second before Dave Edwards and Bakary Sako sealed three points. It capped off a good afternoon for the hosts who kept alive their play-off hopes but Rotherham slipped to 21st place, having now conceded 10 goals in their last three matches. A spell of early pressure told for Wanderers when McDonald managed to pick out former Arsenal trainee Afobe who kept his composure to beat Rotherham keeper Adam Collin. Minutes later, Wolves doubled their advantage when scorer turned provider as Afobe played Dicko through to notch his 10th goal of the season. But Rotherham fought back in a lively first half, with former Molineux man Hammill finding Derbyshire whose header hit the upright. After the break, home keeper Tomasz Kuszczak kept Wolves in control when Zeki Fryers whipped in a cross to the head of Derbyshire, but the Pole made a wonderful one-handed save. Wolves found a third on the counter from a Rotherham corner as James Henry set up the onrushing Afobe to calmly finish. The hosts did not ease off, however, as Sako whipped the ball to the near post towards Edwards who headed home a fourth. Six minutes later, Wolves were five up after Rajiv van La Parra passed straight through to Sako to beat Collin and put them out of sight.

Assisted by Bakary Sako with a cross following a corner. 72:34 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Richard Smallwood. 72:33 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Henry. 71:26 Attempt saved. Conor Sammon (Rotherham United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Adam Hammill. 70:50 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin McDonald tries a through ball, but Rajiv van La Parra is caught offside. 70:21 Attempt saved. Conor Sammon (Rotherham United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 70:18 Attempt blocked. Adam Hammill (Rotherham United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Danny Ward. 68:30 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted

Lacklustre Wolves were a woeful second best as they were beaten on the road for the first time in six trips at a dominant Norwich City. Bradley Johnson (28) and Lewis Grabban (67) scored the goals for the Canaries, who won at a canter with Kenny Jackett's side looking tired. Benik Afobe had Wolves' only serious attempt on goal with a tame volley thaty forced a falling save from goalkeeper John Ruddy in the 73rd minute. Opposite number Tomasz Kuszczak twice denied Grabban either side of his goal, after mistakes by Kevin McDonald and Richard Stearman. It was one of Wolves' most anaemic displays for some time in what was a major blow for the visitors' play-off hopes. Jackett made one change to the team that won 4-1 at Huddersfield on Tuesday and it was an enforced one. Matt Doherty was ill, so Dominic Iorfa returned at right-back after missing the last two games and Michael Jacobs returned to the bench, where there was no striker. Wolves were totally outplayed in the first half, and they were chasing shadows for long periods without the ball against a dominant home side. Nathan Redmond had the first sight of goal in the ninth minute, after cutting inside Danny Batth but curled well over the top. Johnson was next to show, heading over Lewis Grabban's cross from six yards out. Then Jonny Howson's swerving drive flew

straight at Kuszczak, after the space opened up in front of him from 20 yards out. Norwich continued to press and it was little surprise to see them take the lead, from their first corner of the game. Redmond swung over the flag kick and Johnson outmuscled Kevin McDonald at the near post to stoop and head home from three yards out. With Wolves unable to keep possession and giving it away carelessly, the Canaries continued to control the game. But their next threat didn't arrive until the first minute of time added on at the end of the first period. Martin Olsson, who continually got forward to give Iorfa a tough time, shaped to produce an angled volley smothered by a grateful Kuszczak, after Batth twice cleared when Redmond crossed. Wolves' only effort came in the second minute of injury time when Bakary Sako's drive was well held by Ruddy after he cut in from the right. Jackett brought on Dave Edwards at half-time for Nouha Dicko in an effort to shake some life into his side, but it made little difference initially as Norwich's dominance continued. Lewis Grabban almost made it 2-0 in the 55th minute when his drive was superbly tipped away by Kuszczak, after McDonald gave the ball away carelessly to Howson. Afobe gained a sniff of goal on the hour following a ball over the top, but after flicking it past goalkeeper Ruddy, he slipped over. This was the best period of the game for Wolves, but just as they came into it, they conceded a second goal. With Batth and Richard Stearman appealing in vain for offside, Grabban tapped home from close range from Olsson's cross after a fine pass from former Wolvesl loan defender Sebastien Bassong. Wolves tried to hit back and Afobe had their first real chance in the 73rd minute when he turned Russell Martin but his shot lacked the power and direction to seriously trouble Ruddy, who made a falling save. Twelve minutes from time, Jackett brought on Scott Golbourne for Kortney Hause to provide more of an attacking threat down the left. But it was Norwich who remained the more threatening side and the visitors had Kuszczak to thank again seconds later. He brilliantly tipped away Grabban's bouncing volley diving full length to his left after the striker pounced on a slip by Stearman.

Beeb

Norwich moved into the Championship's top six with a hard-earned win over fellow play-off chasers Wolves. Bradley Johnson headed in Nathan Redmond's corner to give the home side the lead in a first half lacking clear-cut opportunities. Wolves improved after the break and Benik Afobe lost control of the ball when through one-on-one. But the Canaries ensured a comfortable finish when Lewis Grabban completed a well-worked move in the 67th minute. Just two points had separated the sides before the game, but Norwich were able to capitalise on Brentford's defeat at Charlton to move into the play-offs for the first time since early November. The appointment of Alex Neil as manager in January has instigated a resurgence for the Norfolk side, who have now won three matches in a row and five of the Scot's seven games in charge. Wolves were starved of creativity at Carrow Road, where they suffered just a second loss in 11 Championship outings. But long-distance efforts aside, they had managed to frustrate the hosts until Johnson found the space five yards out to flick in Redmond's corner just before the half-hour mark. Wolves had rare opportunities through Afobe, who fluffed a one-on-one and then shot wide, before Norwich secured the points with a goal that started deep in their own half. Sebastien Bassong drove out of defence with the ball and slipped in Martin Olsson, who rolled the ball across to give Grabban a simple finish. Grabban forced Wolves keeper Tomasz Kuszczak into a fine save late on, as the Canaries eased to three points.

Wolves were clinical in front of goal as they hit Huddersfield for four to get back to winning ways in the Championship. Nouha Dicko helped himself to the first and last strikes, with Conor Coady's own goal and Benik Afobe finding the net in-between. James Vaughan pulled one back two minutes later, but Afobe made completely sure of the points with his third in three games. Wolves took their goal difference out of the minus section by the sheer nature of the victory, coming after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Reading. That was their first league blemish in eight games, the longest at this level since a club-record 21 match unbeaten run under Glenn Hoddle in 2005. The scoreline wasn’t anywhere near as comfortable as it suggests as, at times, it was mostly Huddersfield doing the attacking. But Wolves showed a superb defensive resilience as Danny Batth in particular, aided by Richard Stearman, put his body in the way of numerous shots. But what was also welcome from a Wolves perspective was the return of a ruthlessness and snap about their play that had been missing for the previous three games. Jackett made two changes to the line-up that lost their eight-match unbeaten record in the league. Lee Evans and Dave Edwards made way for Jack Price and Nouha Dicko in a switch that put former Huddersfield loan striker Afobe in the No 10 role. And the move appeared to pay quick dividends as Wolves took a 12th minute lead. Rajiv Van La Parra, who had an inspired start to the game, put Dicko through. The powerful striker netted his eighth goal of the season with a composed, confident low finish past Alex Smithies. The goal came from Wolves’ first attack after Vaughan had drove inches wide with goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak at full stretch. The same striker’s shot on the turn had its sting taken out of it by Danny Batth. Batth was quickly followed in the blocking stakes by Stearman, who threw his body in the way of Sean Scannell’s drive after the wing-back, who always plays well against Wolves, cut inside and let fly. Former Albion striker Ishmael Miller, making his home debut, was next to try his luck with a left-footed effort that seemed to move about in the air before Kuszczak gathered at the second attempt. But Wolves took some of the Terriers’ bite out of the game with Dicko’s goal and were able to probe the home side. Van La Parra teed Afobe up for an angled effort that Kuszczak gathered at the foot of the post. But Huddersfield remained a threat themselves and Vaughan should have done better with a tame header from Harry Bunn’s cross. Then Bunn had a sight of goal himself with a fierce, angled effort saved at the near post after Miller spun Stearman and rolled the ball into his path. The Terriers remained on the attack and Mark Hudson headed narrowly over the top from Jacob Butterfield’s corner. Then it was the turn of Jack Robinson, who unleashed a powerful angled drive that took a wicked deflection and needed some smart adjustment of feet by Kuszczak to claw the ball away. The half ended with Huddersfield still on the attack as Scannell let fly from the right but Kuszczak was again equal to it at the near post. Wolves gained some vital daylight in somewhat fortuitous style within a minute of the restart. There was little threat on the ball when Coady, who was linked with a move to Wolves from Sheffield United in the summer, imploded. He sliced Bakary Sako’s corner behind him at the near post and into the net, the pace on the ball giving Smithies no chance. Wolves’ defence was being kept really busy and they had to keep their reactions razor sharp throughout. Batth blocked Vaughan’s shot on the edge of the six-yard box after he delayed, giving the skipper just enough time to get back. Then it was Kortney Hause’s turn to get a foot on Bunn’s skidding effort. The second half was beginning to take on a similar pattern to the first with Huddersfield having large chunks of possession and chances, leaving Wolves to hit them on the break with their threat of pace. And after Vaughan’s shot on the turn was tipped wide by Kuszczak, Wolves did that to devastating effect just after the hour. This time it was returning old boy Afobe with his third goal for the club and second in as many games, tapping home after van La Parra’s shot was blocked from Dicko’s square pass. That seemed to seal it but Huddersfield weren’t done and Vaughan finallyu got them a deserved goal when he converted Scannell’s pull-back two minutes later. The goal revived Huddersfield again and Vaughan headed straight at Kuszczak after Stearman nodded away Scannell’s cross, while Hudson drew another save with a header after he had been thrust forward. But Wolves, who conceded the shots on goal tally 33-10, finally put to bed any lingering thoughts of any comeback to bed. Dicko netted his second when he drew Smithies and slotted home after a square pass from Afobe. It was another example of ruthless finishing from the visitors who suddenly look like a side that can challenge for the play-offs again.

Wolves striker Nouha Dicko scored twice to give Wolves' promotion push a timely fillip with victory at Huddersfield. Dicko fired under Alex Smithies after a through ball from Rajiv van La Parra and it was 2-0 when Conor Coady headed Bakary Sako's corner into his own net after the break. Benik Afobe's strike made it 3-0 before James Vaughan got a goal back for the hosts from Sean Scannell's cross. Dicko made it 4-1 when he rounded Smithies to slot home in injury time. It was a frustrating night for Chris Powell's Huddersfield side after they created the better chances, with Coady's own goal early in the second half proving a pivotal moment in the match. The victory ended a run of three matches without a win for Kenny Jackett's Wolves team and moved them to within four points of sixth-placed Brentford. Huddersfield, 15th in the table, have won four and lost four of their last eight matches. Huddersfield manager Chris Powell:

"It's a hard one to swallow. I'm led to believe we created over 30 chances but we gifted two of the goals - the first one is a mistake and he finished it in a flash, and the second one an own-goal, which took the wind out of our sails. They're a good side - they have some good players who have played at a higher level - but we more than matched them. It's a funny one. They could have actually scored one or two more on the counter-attack."

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett:

"I thought the difference tonight was our finishing, which was excellent. There was some real clinical finishing and it's such an important thing at any level of football. Getting the first goal was a big thing. It was a real quality goal - the ball and the finish from Dicko, who came out of nowhere and did well to tuck it in. As the away side we were under a lot of pressure but we could still maintain a threat on the break, and with the right combination of passes into the right spaces we could have got more (goals)."

Strange selections leaving Dicko on the bench helped to make this an uphill struggle, with only one shot on target in the first half to emphasise poor passing and a lack of penetration.

Wolves’ eight-match unbeaten run came to a deserved end as they were beaten by a determined Reading side.

Pavel Pogrebnyak netted one of the quickest goals ever scored at Molineux after volleying the opener after just 19 seconds. Wolves responded well initially and after the returning Bakary Sako went close twice, Benik Afobe equalised in the 26th minute with a header for his second goal for the club. But Reading were much stronger after the break, although Dave Edwards glanced wide from the first opening.. Simon Cox, Michael Hector and substitute Oliver Norwood all went close before Danny Williams grabbed a 70th-minute winner and the hosts failed to test visiting goalkeeper Adam Federici. It was Wolves’ first league defeat in over two months. Head coach Kenny Jackett responded to the hectic programme of three games in eight days by making five changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Bolton last week. Debutant Tomasz Kuszczak, Matt Doherty, Kortney Hause, Lee Evans and Sako replaced Carl Ikeme, Scott Golbourne, Jack Price and Nouha Dicko. Sako was making his first appearance in Wolves colours since January 3 after which he departed for the African Cup of Nations, missing four unbeaten league games. Golbourne, whose training has been restricted by a recurrence of his foot problem this week, Price, Iorfa and Dicko were all on the bench, where they were joined by young keeper Jon Flatt for the first time since November 1. Former Albion keeper Kuszczak was given a warm welcome by the South Bank as he took his place before kick off and he responded by applauding them from the penalty spot. But the Pole was soon picking the ball out of the net as Wolves were rocked by an opening goal after just 19 seconds as Reading scored one of the quickest ever goals at Molineux. With the home defence slow to react, Pogrebnyak latched onto a ball over the top by former Albion striker Cox and volleyed home first time inside Kuszczak’s near post, giving the ex-Manchester United and Brighton shotstopper no chance. It was the first goal conceded by Wolves at Molineux this year, in 184 minutes of play since Danny Batth’s own goal against Brentford on December 28. Wolves responded well to going behind however and gradually worked their way back into the game, although it took them a while to threaten. Sako showed his quality to light up the afternoon with a dazzling show of strength and skill to bamboozle his way past two players just over the halfway line before advancing to unleash a fierce shot that flew just over the bar. And the Mali international was involved in another close escape for Reading seconds before the equaliser. His rare header hit Federici from point-blank range after Evans’s corner and Nathaniel Chalobah hacked the ball off the line. But Wolves gained a deserved reward for their pressure when Afobe guided home a six-yard header from Rajiv Van La Parra’s pinpoint cross. Five minutes before the break, Afobe threatened with his head again, this timer stretching backwards to nod over from Sako’s free kick. But Reading hit back a minute later after Danny Williams’s square pass was missed by Pogrebnyak but fell nicely for Gareth McCleary, whose angled drive was blocked by Hause. Just before half-time, Williams let fly from 25 yards but his rising drive flew a foot over the bar. Wolves created the first opening of the second half in the 51 when Dave Edwards glanced wide from the edge of the six-yard box from Hause’s hanging cross after trickery from Sako on the left. But then Reading had a strong period in the game which saw them create several openings. Cox’s angled drive was parried by Kuszczak on 55 then Reading replaced Chalobah with Oliver Norwood on 58. The visitors continued to attack and Evans hacked away ahead of Cox going for McCleary’s centre six minutes later. Seconds later Michael Hector, who scored against Wolves earlier in the season, was inches away with a free header that flew just wide from Norwood’s corner. Wolves brought on Dicko for Evans on 63 in a bid to win the game in a switch that saw Edwards and Afobe drop deeper and Dicko as the central striker. But it had little effect as the visitors really started to take the game to them. Norwood was proving a thorn in Wolves’ side and he tested Kuszczak with a dipping, swerving free kick on 64 that the keeper was forced to tip over. Wolves just couldn’t clear their lines and McCleary cut inside Batth before curling a shot well over the top. But the goal Reading had been threatening finally came in the 70th minute - and it was a well-worked one too. Williams sidefooted home in off the inside of the post after McCleary headed back Hal Robson-Kanu’s centre at the far post. Wolves responded with a double as Henry and Price replaced Van La Parra and Edwards. But Reading continued to look the better side and after a rare Wolves broke down, they broke a speed through Nick Blackman, who replaced Robson-Kanu on 73, with a stinging angled low drive palmed away by Kuszczak. And there was no way back for the hosts as they once again failed to create enough chances as they lost in the league for the first time since Bournemouth on December 6.

Unconvincing Wolves produced a true smash and grab to somehow earn a point at the death at Bolton. Attendance: 15,869 (2,284 Wolves fans).

The recalled Nouha Dicko gave Kenny Jackett’s side the perfect start with a breakaway goal after three minutes. But Zach Clough’s double on 23 and 25 minutes seemed to have ended Wolves’ seven-match unbeaten league run. Yet with the match drifting towards what appeared to be a certain Bolton win, substitute James Henry’s last-gasp 25-yarder ensured a point. It came with almost the last kick of the five minutes of added time, with his side’s only on-target effort of the second-half. Wolves boss Jackett made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Charlton last week. Scott Golbourne and Nouha Dicko returned to the starting line-up in place of Kortney Hause and Henry, who dropped to the bench. The formation was switched to 4-5-1, with Rajiv Van La Parra wide right and Benik Afobe wide left, with Dicko up front on his own. The changes initially looked to have paid off as Wolves took the lead with the first attack of the game. Kevin McDonald split the home defence to send Dicko racing clear and the powerful striker swept the ball home with his first touch from six yards out, giving Andy Lonergan no chance in goal. In a bright start by Wolves, McDonald sensed a goal of his own two minutes later as he lashed a foot over the bar when Golbourne’s corner dropped him for him nicely. But that was pretty much it as an attacking force for the rest of the half as the visitors were forced to defend for long periods. New signing Adam Le Fondre had a good sight of goal on 18 minutes but from 10 yards out, could only blaze well over from a left-wing cross. But much worse was to follow as two goals inside three minutes from Bolton turned the game on its head midway through the first half. First Batth conceded a free kick by bundling over Darren Pratley 20 yards out and Clough curled home a delicious free kick. Then awful defending on the Wolves left allowed Tim Ream a cross and Clough neatly but too easily turned Batth, before confidently curling home from eight yards for his second goal of the game. Wolves struggled to get to grips with the impish Clough, who kept popping up in pockets unmarked. By contrast, the visitors’ midfield looked too square, with Dave Edwards unusually deeper and unable to offer his usual support and angles to the attack. Wolves struggled to show any invention or spark going forwards until the 35th minute. Former Molineux loanee David Wheater made vital sliding tackles to block Dicko on the edge of the D then Iorfa from Van La Parra’s cut back on the edge of the six yard box as they shaped to shoot.

Wolves continued to look devoid of ideas after the restart and indeed as the second-half wore on. Le Fondre had the first opening of the second period but it didn’t arrive until the 65th minute, after he spun Batth and produced a shot on the turn that was clawed away by goalkeeper Carl Ikeme for a corner. Jackett tried desperately to lift a very lethargic looking Wolves side. He replaced Jack Price with Lee Evans on 67, Edwards with Henry a minute later and Matt Doherty for Iorfa on 75, but it had little effect. Wolves lacked imagination and ideas with their passing and any sort of penetration going forwards. And they failed to force any sort of effort on goal until the 88th minute when Evans’s goalbound long range drive hit Dorian Dervite. That was it until Henry struck an unlikely equaliser, completely out of the blue, at the death.

Beeb

James Henry's late strike saved Wolves from their first league defeat of 2015 as they drew at Bolton.

Kenny Jackett's side took the lead within three minutes when Nouha Dicko struck from close range. Teenage striker Zach Clough then equalised with a direct free-kick and made it 2-1 soon after when he fired past Carl Ikeme from inside the box. Bolton looked set to move into the top half of the Championship before Henry struck in the 96th minute. Wolves could not have made a better start, as Dicko latched on to Kevin McDonald's pass before firing past Andy Lonergan from six yards. But Bolton turned things around during a three-minute period midway through the second half. First, Clough's free-kick found the corner of Ikeme's goal after Darren Pratley had been brought down and soon after he turned well in the box to curl in Tim Ream's cross. Clough then almost set up a third for Bolton, when he found Liam Trotter, whose shot from outside the box was saved by Ikeme. Dicko was twice denied opportunities to shoot thanks to strong challenges from defender David Wheater. In the second half Bolton debutant Adam Le Fondre went close to scoring when he chested down a Liam Feeney pass, but Ikeme saved his volley at goal.Bolton, who lost Pratley just after the break to injury, did well to nullify the Wolves attack as Josh Vela prevented Lee Evans and Benik Afobe from causing problems in the box. Rob Hall fired wide at the other end, but the hosts looked to be heading towards an important victory before eventually succumbing to late pressure. With just seconds left, Henry fired a 25-yard shot past Lonergan to deny Bolton a first league home win of the new year.Bolton boss Neil Lennon on Zach Clough: "Zach's performance was amazing considering he has not kicked a ball for three weeks. I don't know where he got the free-kick from because I have never seen him do it before. But he is an outstanding talent and we have to manage him in the right way. We can't get carried away. I have to be mindful not to build him up into something he might possibly be. He might never get there but he is a definite talent."

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett: "I felt we lacked in the first half and Bolton deserved their lead. In the second, they sat quite deep and we continued to try to put the ball behind them which wasn't the right tactic. We should

have moved the ball better and got the ball into feet. I am always pleased to pick up point away from home. But it was tough for us to break them down and a real bit of quality did that in the end."

Wolves' Bakary Sako will be back from the Africa Cup of Nations after Mali's elimination but is unlikely to play. Tommy Rowe is out with a broken foot but Scott Golbourne is in contention

following his own foot injury.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Bolton have won seven and lost none of their last 10 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves have scored only six times in this run and never more than once in a match.

Bolton

Bolton are one of three sides yet to be shown a red card this season (along with Ipswich and Cardiff). The Trotters last saw red in March 2014 versus Yeovil Town.

Wolves

After going six games without a win (D1 L5), Wolverhampton Wanderers have since won five and lost none of their last seven. Kenny Jackett's men have kept five clean sheets in the

aforementioned run, conceding only twice.

Wolves 0 Charlton Athletic 0

FT 90 +5 HT 0-0

Guy Luzon's first game as Charlton head coach ended in a hard-fought goalless draw against play-off hopefuls Wolves. Wolves, who had won five of their last six league games, had the better of first half, but Charlton's Callum Harriott forced Carl Ikeme into a save. The visitors looked dangerous on the break, and Ikeme was again on hand to turn away Tony Watt's strike. Benik Afobe almost headed a late Wolves winner and Nouha Dicko also had an injury-time penalty appeal waved away. Despite moving up to seventh in the league, Kenny Jackett's Wolves fell three points behind the play-off places, Luzon, meanwhile, saw his new side end a three-game losing run, having missed last week's 5-0 demolition at Watford because of work permit problems. Guzon's tough new job - Charlton's last victory came at Reading in the Championship on 8 November. The Israeli set his stall out to frustrate, using two banks of four and restricting Wolves to long shots by Dave Edwards and Dominic Iorfa. Despite the hosts having much of the ball, the Addicks came closest to a first-half goal when Johann Berg Gudmundsson's inswinging cross flashed just past the far post. Jackett brought on Dicko and Scott Golbourne at half-time, but the visitors began the half stronger, with Harriott forcing a diving save from Ikeme. Wolves were struggling for the killer final ball and Charlton were defending extremely well, epitomised by Morgan Fox's block on Rajiv van La Parra's side-foot volley. The hosts upped the pressure late on and, after Afobe headed Golbourne's cross straight at debutant keeper Marko Dmitrovic, Dicko and Bikey both received yellow cards amid the subsequent melee.

Disappointing Wolves extended their unbeaten run to seven league games but failed to make the leap into the play-off zone in a stalemate at Molineux. Chances were thin on the ground for Kenny Jackett’s side throughout as they failed to force a serious save from keeper Marko Dmitrovic, although Andre Bikey headed off the line from man of the match Rajiv Van La Parra. There was an improved second half from the hosts when substitute Nouha Dicko joined Benik Afobe up front in a 4-4-2 formation. But it was Carl Ikeme who was the busier of the two keepers as he foiled Igor Ventokele and sub Tony Watt as the hosts made it three shutouts in a row. Wolves controlled most of the game but failed to show enough imagination and penetration, Kortney Hause’s header drifting just wide nd Afobe’s diving effort straight at the keeper the closest they went. Jackett made one change to the line-up that beat Blackpool 2-0 last week as Benik Afobe came in for Nouha Dicko up front. Afobe was making his first start as Dicko was joined on the bench by fit-again Scott Golbourne, who has finally shaken off a persistent foot injury. There was no place on the bench for Leon Clarke at a time when Wolves are believed to be trying to sign another attacking player. The game got off to a slow start and the pace rarely raised below the chilly temperatures in a largely uneventful first half. Wolves had little trouble containing the threat that Charlton posed, indeed the visitors failed to even produce any effort on goal. But the hosts struggled to find the imagination to break down an improved defence that looked better than their record of nine games without a win suggested. All of Wolves attacks seemed to stem from or involve Rajiv Van La Parra. And it was from the flying Dutchman that Jackett’s side threatened first in the second minute. Van La Parra used his pace to wriggle to the byline and chiselled out a cross to the far post, but James Henry couldn’t do any more than tentatively head it into the sidenetting at the far post. Wolves fans had to wait until the 18th minute until the next sight of goal, when Dave Edwards flashed a fierce, first-time drive narrowly wide from outside the box after Kevin McDonald passed it short. Ten minutes later, Dominic Iorfa burst forward from the middle onto a square pass from Jack Price but the finish didn’t match the run as he fired wide. Wolves’ next threat, in the 36th minute, was their closest of the half and arrived via a Henry free kick swung in from the left, Kortney Hause heading a few feet wide. Two minutes before half-time, McDonald split the defence for Afobe but the pass was just too strong. Jackett sensed the need for change and made a double switch at half-time, with Dicko and Scott Golbourne on for Henry and Hause. It meant Wolves switched to a 4-4-2 formation, with Dave Edwards drifting to wide left and Dicko joining Afobe up front. The home side immediately looked more of a threat and went close when his back header was nodded off the line by Andre Bikey from Golbourne’s free kick on 48. Charlton quickly broke to force their first save of the game within a minute when Callum Harriott surged forward and saw his low drive palmed away by Carl Ikeme. The next chance didn’t arrive until the 65th minute, when Van La Parra squeezed in a prodded effort from Iorfa’s squared pass. The game was suddenly opening up and seconds later the visitors broke away through Vetokele and it took a brave challenge from Ikeme to deny him as Golbourne hacked away the loose ball as Gudmundsson lurked for the open goal. Wolves had their former Charlton loan keeper to thank again on 72 however as substitute Tony Watt beat Danny Batth and Richard Stearman far too easily to earn a one-on-one with the keeper blocking with his feet at the near post. Wolves continued to struggle to create clear chances but Afobe should have done better on 86 when his diving header from Golbourne’s cross was too close to the keeper. Two minutes later, McDonald sent a rising drive into the South Bank after Golbourne’s free kick was cleared. There was late drama at the death when Dicko went down under what appeared to be a push from Tal Ben Haim. Bikey reacted by pushing the Wolves striker and both him and Dicko were booked as both sides were punished for not having enough bite in front of goal.

Goals from Dave Edwards and debutant Benik Afobe settled matters on an emotional day at Molineux, where they mourned their former owner's passing. Edwards' strike in the 86th minute as well as a stoppage time goal from striker Afobe secured the win all Wolves players and fans were desperate for. In front of their biggest crowd of the season, more than 28,000 fans saw Kenny Jackett’s side dominate proceedings and create a host of chances before finally claiming the points. The win means Jackett’s side remain in eight place in the table but are just a point outside the play-offs.

In an emotionally charged atmosphere, Wolves started on the front foot with Rajiv van La Parra receiving the ball wide right and sending in a teasing cross which appeared to strike Peter Clarke’s hand. With the crowd appealing for a penalty, referee Kevin Johnson pointed for a corner with James Henry’s subsequent kick easily claimed by Blackpool goalkeeper Joe Lewis. As expected, boos were ringing around Molineux every time Jamie O’Hara touched the ball, but it was Wolves who were controlling possession without really having a cutting edge. But they came close to breaking the deadlock when a wonderful Jack Price ball spilt the Blackpool backline and sent Henry in on goal. The winger looked to take the ball in his stride but a disappointing first touch saw him forced wide by a covering defender. Blackpool had their first sniff at goal when a shanked Danny Batth clearance was seized upon by Nathan Delfouneso 25-yards from goal. But. despite being completely unchallenged, the former Aston Villa striker sliced a shot well wide of Carl Ikeme’s goal. Wolves hit back when O’Hara was caught in possession and Nouha Dicko took the ball and squared to Henry to the edge of the box. The talented midfielder took a touch and curled a delicious effort tantalisingly over the bar. Kenny Jackett’s side were dominating possession but lacking a cutting edge as they sought that all important opening goal. But it should have arrived just before the half-hour mark when Kevin McDonald sent van La Parra galloping away down the right flank. With Dicko screaming for the ball in the box, the gifted Dutchman delayed his cross a second too long and the ball was cleared for a corner. Blackpool hit back with Tony McMahon getting to the byline and sending in a teasing low delivery which zipped across the six-yard box, but with nobody on hand to tap home. Fears were starting to creep in that Wolves’ players were struggling with enormity of the occasion. But they continued to press and went close once more when van La Parra’s incisive run found Dave Edwards on the edge of the box but the midfielder hit a first time effort just wide. There was a loud roar around Molineux when a tackle from Price sent O’Hara flying into the air. With a free-kick given on the edge of the box, Ikeme did well to punch clear the danger. But, moments before the break, Wolves had a golden chance to open the scoring. Dicko did brilliantly to rob the ball from a centre half and then send Edwards racing in on goal from just inside the Blackpool half. The midfielder took the ball into the box but with just the ‘keeper to beat screwed his shot horribly wide to miss what can only be described as a sitter.

The second half started in cagey fashion with Wolves seemingly unable to produce the free-flowing football of previous weeks. With the game plan to get the ball wide to van La Parra, the winger twice burst forward down the right but both times was guilty of delaying his cross with earlier deliveries needed. Jackett made his first change just before the hour mark with a debut for Afobe, who came on for Henry. It meant Dicko moved to wide left, Van La Parra to wide right with Afobe through the middle. And the switch almost paid immediate dividends when the former Arsenal striker picked up a loose ball and burst into the box before seeing his shot crowded out for a corner. The new signing used the moment to gee up the South Bank who responded with a rapturous roar. Sensing they were now on the front foot, Wolves continued to pile forward with Van La Parra brilliantly sending Dominic Iorfa away whose tantalising early delivery had to be hacked clear. The momentum was now all with the men in gold and black, with Blackpool being pushed deeper into their own half but with Wolves proving to be hamstrung by a lack of invention in the final third. But there was no lack of endeavour as they continued to press forward with a wave of attacks. First Van La Parra and McDonald linked up with a neat one-two inside the box but the Dutchman saw a low effort blocked by Price. And seconds later the former Heerenveen star was again in the thick of the action when he sent in a delicious low cross with the ball just evading the onrushing Edwards and Dicko. Moments later, though, and Wolves finally got the goal their second half performance deserved and once again it was Van La Parra who was the architect. The flying midfielder raced down the right and delivered another fine cross which this time was smashed home by Edwards for his fourth goal in three games. With Molineux rocking and the South Bank singing chant after chant in memory of Sir Jack, Wolves then doubled their advantage in bizarre circumstances. A comical error between Darren O’Dea and Lewis saw the ball break kindly for debutant Afobe who simply had to tap into an open goal for what will probably be the easiest goal of his Wolves career. With the fourth official indicating six minutes of stoppage time, Molineux swung in unison with more songs in tribute for Sir Jack. The final whistle was then met with huge applause as Wolves’ players celebrated the win they deserved and craved.

BBC

Late goals from Dave Edwards and Benik Afobe ensured Wolves could celebrate the life of the club's former owner Sir Jack Hayward with a win over Blackpool.

And debutant Afobe sealed the victory on 90 minutes, walking the ball into the net following a defensive mix-up.

There were tributes to Sir Jack, who died this week, as his name was spelt out in the stands before kick-off.

The emotion of the occasion at Molineux initially seemed to get the better of the Wolves players, who only really hit their stride in the final third of the match.

Blackpool, bottom of the Championship and without an away win this season, had looked like they would hold on for a priceless point before the home side's late show.

It took 30 minutes for the game to come to life and when it did it was Blackpool who initially threatened, with Andrea Orlandi and Steven Davies being denied by home goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. But Wolves should really have taken the lead before half-time, when Edwards was presented with a gilt-edged chance. The Wales international was released by a through ball from Nouha Dicko but pulled a low and weak shot wide of the far post after Tangerines keeper Joe Lewis narrowed the angle. After the break Wolves introduced Afobe, who joined from Arsenal this week, from the bench to try and pep up their attack and Lewis then denied Van La Parra at his near post. That sparked a spell of intense Wolves pressure and Blackpool finally cracked when Edwards struck late on. The win was assured after Lewis and Blackpool substitute Darren O'Dea got into a terrible muddle trying to cut out a pass from Kevin McDonald and Afobe scored his 20th goal of the season, having struck 19 times during a loan spell at MK Dons earlier this season. Promotion chasing Wolves, who have now won five of their last six league games, remain one point off the play-off places while Blackpool are nine points from safety.

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett: "It was a great tribute before the game and it was a bumper crowd to remember and celebrate a fantastic life of someone who has made a big contribution to both the area and the club. As a head coach I am delighted we followed through with a good result and had a very, very buoyant stadium at the end. With the considerable possession we had, particularly in the first half, we didn't do enough with it and we didn't have a shot on target in the first period and that is poor. Dave Edwards got a key goal for us as the first goal in any game is important, particularly in the Championship. I was wondering where it was going to come from as it didn't look like we were creating clear-cut chances."

Blackpool manager Lee Clark: "We didn't do enough in possession of the ball in the second half. We didn't carry any threat. We never worked the goalkeeper enough.

When you do that and there is constantly pressure on your back four, it is inevitable because with six minutes injury time you are going 51 minutes trying to play that way and it is difficult. I think we could have relieved the pressure by being more adventurous with the ball, being better with the ball, creating more problems in an attacking sense than we did. Now we have to dust ourselves down, get ready and get working towards or next game against Watford and go again."

Resurgent Wolves

After losing five games in a row between November and December, Kenny Jackett's men are unbeaten in six in the league, winning five.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (1) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

01 Ikeme

33 Iorfa

06 Batth

05 Stearman

30 Hause (Doherty - 77' )

11 McDonald

19 Price

07 Henry (Afobe - 57' )

04 Edwards

17 van La Parra

40 Dicko (Ebanks-Landell - 89' )

Substitutes

02 Doherty

09 Clarke

12 Afobe

14 Evans

23 Ebanks-Landell

27 Jacobs

29 Kuszczak

Blackpool

01 Lewis

29 McMahon

06 Clarke

32 Hall (O'Dea - 72' )

18 Dunne

20 Oliver (Henshall - 68' )

31 O'Hara Booked

04 Perkins

11 Orlandi

14 Delfouneso

09 Davies (Feruz - 82' )

Substitutes

08 Mellis

21 Parish

30 Sene

37 Nosworthy

38 Henshall

41 Feruz

48 O'Dea

Ref: Kevin Johnson

Att: 28,132

MATCH STATS

90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers Blackpool

Possession 63% 37%

Shots 15 4

On target 3 2

Corners 7 1

Fouls 11 9

Live Text Commentary

Full Time Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Blackpool 0. 90:00 +6:07 Full time

Hugo Rodallega's kick earned Fulham a dramatic FA Cup penalty shootout win and a fourth-round trip to Sunderland. On a night tinged with sadness for Wolves following the death of former owner Sir Jack Hayward, Cauley Woodrow headed Kit Symons' side in front. Dave Edwards and Rajiv van La Parra scored for Wolves before Woodrow forced extra time. Edwards gave Wolves an extra-time lead, but Ross McCormack's last-minute penalty took the tie to spot kicks. Fulham converted all five in the shootout to secure a fourth-round trip to Sunderland, as Matt Doherty missed Wolves' second kick.

The match was played out in heavy snow during the latter stages. On a freezing cold night at Molineux, which deteriorated into a fierce snowstorm in extra time, Fulham had the better of the opening half. They were finally rewarded for their early pressure when Konstantinos Stafylidis sent a left-wing cross into the box that was met by the unmarked Woodrow. Moussa Dembele could have put the visitors almost out of sight before the break when the Frenchman rounded Carl Ikeme only to miss the target.

Boosted by the double Sub of Edwards and Nouha Dicko, Wolves were transformed after the break. Dicko was close to giving the hosts the perfect start to the second half but his tightly angled shot hit the side netting. Wolves twice hit the woodwork through Doherty's header and Dicko's fierce shot before drawing level in the 71st minute. A clever ball from Dominic Iorfa allowed Edwards clean through to spark a burst of three goals in five minutes. Van La Parra put Wolves ahead from Kevin McDonald's superb through-ball but Fulham quickly made it level again through Woodrow, who tapped home Dembele's rebound to book an extra half-hour. McDonald almost put Wolves in front again when he unleashed a shot from long range in extra time which forced Marcus Bettinelli to save.

With snow falling thickly, Edwards put Wolves back in front with a neat near-post finish three minutes into the second half of extra time. But there was more drama to come in the final minute when Lee Evans handled and McCormack levelled from the spot - before the contest was settled on penalties. Fulham manager Kit Symons, speaking to BBC Radio London: "What a way to win a cup tie. It had a bit of everything. When Ross McCormack's shot hit the wall, I thought our chance was gone, but I was delighted the penalty was given and he slotted home coolly. It was quite an emotional evening for the Wolves fans, who got right behind their team. And rightly so, Sir Jack Hayward is a real loss to the game after all he's done."

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett, speaking to BBC WM: "Fulham played well in the first half and deserved their lead but, in difficult conditions, we got ourselves in pole position and it was a cruel way to lose. With their late penalty, I've looked at the video and it's hard to see clearly, but the referee was a lot closer than I was and there's nothing we can do about it. "It was tough for both sides out there when the snow started coming down, but it was the right decision to continue playing."

68:35 Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. 64:19 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. 64:01 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) hits the left post with a header from the left side of the six yard box. 63:30 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Konstantinos Stafylidis. 63:24 Attempt blocked. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. 59:06 Foul by Nouha Dicko Wolverhampton Wanderers). 59:06 (Fulham) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 58:29 Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) is shown the yellow card. 58:24 Lee Evans (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 58:24 Foul by Cauley Woodrow (Fulham). 56:14 Attempt blocked. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 55:50 Attempt blocked. Ross McCormack (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 54:46 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 54:46 Sean Kavanagh (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 54:26 Lee Evans (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 54:26 Foul by Konstantinos Stafylidis (Fulham). 53:52 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 53:52 Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) wins a free kick on the left wing. 52:56 Attempt blocked. Ross McCormack (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 48:01 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. 46:27 Attempt missed. Moussa Dembele (Fulham) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left.

41:16 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 41:16 Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) wins a free kick on the right wing. 39:48 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 39:48 Konstantinos Stafylidis (Fulham) wins a free kick on the right wing. 35:50 Attempt missed. Moussa Dembele (Fulham) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. 32:58 Attempt missed. Moussa Dembele (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. 31:38 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 31:38 Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 30:59 Attempt saved. Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. 30:29 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Sean Kavanagh. 27:53 Attempt missed. Seko Fofana (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 26:15 Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Fulham 1. Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Konstantinos Stafylidis. 24:13 Attempt missed. Lee Evans (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from long range on the left is too high. 23:50 Foul by Scott Parker (Fulham). .23:50 James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 22:06 Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 20:30 Attempt saved. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 20:07 Attempt saved. Liam McAlinden (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 14:31 Attempt missed. Sean Kavanagh (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 12:12 Attempt missed. Ross McCormack (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. 10:45 Attempt saved. Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. 9:30 Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Richard Stearman. 4:53 Delay in match Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers) because of an injury. 4:09 Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Carl Ikeme. 3:51 Attempt saved. Ross McCormack (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.

0:00 First Half begins.

TEAM NEWS

Wolves midfielder Bakary Sako has been called up for African Nations Cup duty with Mali and will not feature. Defender Kortney Hause is cup-tied but Dutchman Rajiv van La Parra (concussion) is available.

Fulham's manager Kit Symons could make changes to his starting line-up following four games without a goal. Alex Kacaniklic has been recalled from a loan spell at FC Copenhagen, while fellow midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe is back from his loan spell at Blackburn.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham

Wolves are winners four times - last in 1960 Fulham were finalists in 1975 Wolves are unbeaten in last six games (W4, D2) Fulham manager Kit Symons was an FA Cup semi-finalist with Portsmouth in 1992

Dave Edwards’ goal was enough as Wolves recorded their third straight Championship win. The midfielder fired home three minutes into the second-half after latching on to a Nouha Dicko pass. Wolves had chances to make it more comfortable and Dicko hit the bar, while Edwards sliced wide from close range. The closest Blackburn came to an equaliser was when Richard Stearman headed against his own post. But the failure to make the most of their chances meant Wolves endured a nervy final few minutes, before they could celebrate a result which puts them within a point of the top six. Head coach Kenny Jackett made four changes from the side which drew 0-0 at Fulham in the FA Cup, with Rajiv van La Parra replacing Bakary Sako. Dicko started up front in place of Leon Clarke, with Kevin McDonald and Kortney Hause also restored to the line-up. Rovers midfielder Ben Marshall had the first shot of the game, though his effort from 25 yards was always going wide. Dicko then reacted to some sloppy defending by Lee Williamson to force home goalkeeper Jason Steele into a save at his near post. Wolves enjoyed some more early pressure before Jordan Rhodes headed over, albeit from an offside position, for the hosts. Taylor blazed over for Rovers, but Marshall then missed a good chance to put them ahead when he headed Rhodes’ cross wide from ten yards out. The midfielder should have, at the very least, given goalkeeper Carl Ikeme something to do. The Wolves custodian instead wasn’t called into action until past the half hour mark. He pulled off a splendid save from Marshall’s free-kick, after Edwards had been penalised on the edge of his own box for use of a high boot. Rhodes headed wide in stoppage time as the opening period rather petered out. Edwards ensured the fixture would spring to life three minutes into the second-half as he put Wolves ahead. The midfielder collected a neat pass from Dicko before firing past Steele and into the bottom corner, from the edge of the box. Rovers were almost level four minutes later when Stearman misjudged a curling Tom Cairney cross and sent a headed crashing off his own post. Wolves then nearly paid the price for failing to clear their lines when Rudy Gestede lashed a loose ball over the top from inside the box. Van La Parra shot wide from distance before Danny Batth, who was imperious in the air for much of the game, nodded over at a free-kick. Wolves were close to sealing it when they broke and Dicko played in Henry, whose cross was sliced wide by a stretching Edwards – the ball taking an unkind bobble just as he was about to shoot. The visitors were looking like they would score with every attack with Dicko then crashing a shot off the bar and Van La Parra hurrying the rebound over. Boos from the home fans only grew louder as Henry was allowed to run fully 50 yards before driving over the bar. But the second goal wouldn’t come and substitute Craig Conway had a great chance to level with five minutes left when he went through but, from a tight angle, he poked his shot straight at Ikeme. Josh King also shot straight at the goalkeeper late on, but Wolves held on to record a deserved triumph.

Beeb

Wolves picked up their fourth win out of the last five games as Dave Edwards' second-half strike proved enough to defeat Blackburn. Edwards struck from the edge of the area after being set up by Nouha Dicko, before missing a chance to make it 2-0. Dicko also hit the bar for Wolves, while Rovers went close when Richard Stearman directed the ball against his own post. Victory moves Kenny Jackett's side to within a point of the play-off places. Blackburn remain 10th and will be disappointed not to have made the most of their possession in the first half. Ben Marshall headed a Jordan Rhodes cross wide and then forced a save out of Carl Ikeme from a free-kick. Wolves improved after the break and Dicko's invention set up Edwards to score what proved to be the only goal of the game. Rovers almost had a leveller when Stearman misjudged a clearance and headed against the frame of his own goal. However, the visitors held on and could have won by a more handsome margin but Dicko's curling effort smashed back off the bar, while Danny Batth headed over a great opportunity.

Blackburn midfielder Corry Evans is available after serving a two-match ban, while Alex Baptiste can play after he was ineligible for the FA Cup. Marcus Olsson (leg injury), Grant Hanley and Josh King (both illness) are all expected to return.

Wolves have strikers Nouha Dicko and Rajiv Van La Parra fully fit again for Sunday's trip to Ewood Park. Kevin McDonald returns from suspension and defender Kortney Hause can play after being cup-tied against Fulham. But Wolves are without Dicko's international team-mate and seven-goal top scorer Bakary Sako, as the forward has linked up with Mali for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Head-to-head

Wolves won the earlier meeting this season 3-1 at Molineux in August.

Wolves have won two of the last three meetings, drawing one. Blackburn's last win was 2-0 at Molineux in the Premier League in March 2012.

Wolves have won the last two meetings at Ewood Park. Blackburn's last win at home was 3-0 in the Premier League in December 2010.

Blackburn

Blackburn have lost only one of their last four games in all competitions. Their only defeat since mid-December was 2-1 at Bolton in the Championship on Boxing Day.

Blackburn have won four of their last six games at Ewood Park, drawing one and losing one.

Wolves

Wolves are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, winning three. Their last defeat was 2-1 against Bournemouth at home in the Championship on 6 December.

Wolves have won their last two away Championship games, at Sheffield Wednesday and Watford.

Fulham Wolves FA Cup 3rd Round 3rd Jan 2015

Fulham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

FT 90 +3

HT 0-0

3 January 2015

Fulham 0 Wolves 0 - Report and pictures over 2,000 wolves fans - 65 from WWLSC although sparse Fulhm attendance The fans were particularly noisy when Nouha Dicko replaced Leon Clarke who had missed a sitter, and then insinging Dominic Iorfa’s name

Wolves and Fulham will do it all again in the FA Cup after neither could find the breakthrough at Craven Cottage.

Leon Clarke had by far the best chance of the game for the visitors but fired wide with the goal gaping after Bakary Sako’s shot had been tipped onto the post. Home keeper Marcus Bettinelli twice denied James Henry in the second half. Seko Fofana had the chance to win it for Fulham late on but fired straight at Carl Ikeme when clean through on goal.

It was the first save the Wolves keeper had to make all game and while both teams had their spells of dominance it was the visitors who created the better chances – none better than Clarke’s. The striker was included in the starting line-up in place of Nouha Dicko, one of four changes to the Wolves team which defeated Brentford 2-1 last Sunday. James Henry replaced Rajiv van La Parra, who was not included in the squad, on the wing, while Lee Evans and Matt Doherty came in for the suspended Kevin McDonald and cup tied Kortney Hause respectively. In a scrappy opening the first real incident of note was a heavy challenge on Sako by Shaun Hutchinson which saw the Fulham defender booked. Clarke then had the first attempt of the match on 20 minutes though his header from Henry’s deep cross lacked the venom to trouble Bettinelli. Cauley Woodrow then fired over for the hosts from the edge of the box before Sako drove a shot from distance along the ground which Bettinelli dealt with comfortably – the quick build-up play from Wolves deserving better. Sako did far better soon after with another shot from distance which, thanks to hand from Bettinelli, crashed off the base of the post and straight to Clarke. But with the goal gaping, the striker somehow put the ball wide. Hugo Rodallega was also off target at the other end with a spectacular overhead kick which sailed just over Ikeme’s bar. Incredibly, the striker tried the same thing again from closer range as the clock ticked into stoppage time, again with no success as the half ended goal-less. Wolves twice went close in the opening moments of the second period. First, Bettellini saved Evans’ low shot and from the resulting corner, Sako flailed an effort wide from close range. Fulham looked to respond and after Woodrow had sent one effort well over the bar, Fofana had Ikeme scrambling with another which missed by a much narrower margin. The hosts were suddenly on top and Wolves weathering a storm, as Stearman blocked another Fofana shot. But it was Bettinelli who was next called into action as he tipped Henry’s dipping header over the bar. The keeper denied the Wolves man again after he had burst into the box and shot when the hosts were guilty of losing possession in their own half. Rodallega hit the side-netting for the hosts as the game entered the final 20 minutes, before Sako unleashed a right-footed effort from the edge of the box which whistled past the post at the other end. Then came Fofana’s chance as Fulham broke quickly from a Wolves corner and McCormack’s ball over the top put him through. But his tame effort was easily dealt with by Ikeme.

Beeb: Fulham and Wolves played out an entertaining draw in the third round of the FA Cup.

Leon Clarke slammed a rebound wide with the goal gaping after Bakary Sako's powerful strike hit the post early on. A jinking run from Sako on the edge of the Fulham area

resulted in the Mali international firing agonisingly wide of the target. Scott Parker lifted Seko Fofana through on goal late on but Carl Ikeme blocked well to ensure a replay for

Wolves. An even opening period saw Cauley Woodrow turn and blaze over from the edge of the Wolves box, while Sako fired fiercely at Marcus Bettinelli as both teams struggled to create a significant chance early on.

The second half began in much more open fashion as Lee Evans fired at Bettinelli moments before both Woodrow and Fofana rifled over Ikeme's bar. James Henry's header forced a strong hand from the Fulham goalkeeper just minutes before the former Millwall midfielder nicked the ball off Shaun Hutchinson's foot and was again denied by The Cottagers' stopper in a high-tempo second half. Sean Kavanagh slid a pass into Hugo Rodallega late on, who smashed a snapshot into the side netting. Both sides displayed positive, attacking intent and will eagerly await the replay, which will take place during the week commencing Monday, 12 January at Molineux.

Symons on Wolves draw

Fulham manager Kit Symons: "It was probably a typical cup tie. There was a lot of blood and guts, a lot of endeavour. It probably lacked that little bit of quality, a little bit of craft and guile for either side to score the goal. I thought we sort of started okay in the game. I thought there were a few chances for both teams really."

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett: "Anybody would miss Bakary Sako and we will. He is very popular with the crowd, popular with the players. He goes to the African Nations now, but the plus side is that the window is open. We've got to make sure we work hard enough internally and externally, if needed, to cover that gap that's going to be there. His ambition is the Premier League - so is ours - but as and when something comes of that sort of level, we'll deal with it then. But, personally, do I hope it doesn't happen? Yes, I do."

First Half ends, Fulham 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. 45:00 +2:21 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from long range on the right misses to the left from a direct free kick. 45:00 +1:34 Foul by Konstantinos Stafylidis (Fulham). 45:00 +1:34 James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 44:52 Attempt missed. Hugo Rodallega (Fulham) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. 41:54 Nikolay Bodurov (Fulham) wins a free kick on the right wing. 41:54 Foul by Dave Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 39:16 Ross McCormack (Fulham) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 39:16 Foul by Lee Evans (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 38:47 Attempt missed. Hugo Rodallega (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. 31:47 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jack Grimmer. 31:32 Sub, Fulham. Sean Kavanagh replaces Lasse Vigen Christensen because of an injury. 30:04 Attempt missed. James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. 29:54 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) hits the right post with a right